Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) – consulting services
PPWR introduces new requirements related to packaging design, data management, documentation, extended producer responsibility and recycled content. We help you understand how your business is affected and prioritise the right actions.
- Understand how PPWR affects your business
- Identify risks and information gaps
- Get a prioritised roadmap
PPWR changes the rules for packaging
PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation) is the EU’s new regulation on packaging and packaging waste. Its aim is to reduce packaging waste, improve recyclability and promote more circular material flows in Europe.
For companies placing packaging or packaged products on the EU market, this introduces new requirements covering areas such as packaging design, packaging data, recycled content, labelling, documentation and extended producer responsibility.
The regulation will apply progressively, with several requirements being phased in over the coming years. For many companies, the greatest challenge is not understanding the regulation, but gaining control of the information and processes needed to meet its requirements.
Learn more
How does PPWR affect your business?
Through an initial consultation, we help you understand which requirements are most relevant to your business, identify key risks and what steps to consider next. Whether you are at an early assessment stage or further along, we can help you structure your work and prioritise the right actions.
What do producers, importers and distributors need to do to comply with PPWR?
For many companies, the greatest challenge is not understanding the regulation, but gaining control of processes, data and the allocation of responsibilities. PPWR therefore often involves procurement, sustainability, product development, quality and compliance teams simultaneously. The applicable requirements vary depending on the company’s role in the value chain. Many companies also hold several roles at the same time.
If you are a producer
Regardless of whether you are a manufacturer, you are responsible for ensuring that the packaging you place on the market meets requirements relating to:
- Packaging design and recyclability
- Material selection and recycled content
- Technical documentation and DoC
- Packaging labelling
- Producer responsibility and EPR
If you are an importer
You need to be able to verify and document that imported packaging complies with the regulation through:
- Supplier and material data
- Packaging data and data quality
- Technical documentation and DoC
- Traceability and reporting
- Packaging labelling
If you are a distributor
You need to be able to ensure that packaged products placed on the market further down the supply chain comply with applicable requirements and that relevant information is available:
- Traceability and reporting
- Packaging labelling
- Producer responsibility and EPR
- Packaging data and data quality
- Documentation and information management
How we can support your PPWR work
PPWR affects several parts of your business simultaneously. Needs vary depending on your packaging portfolio, organisation, materials and level of maturity. Stena Circular Consulting offers support in four key areas that many companies need to address to prepare for PPWR requirements.
Current-state & gap analysis
Identify which requirements affect your business, where gaps exist and which actions to prioritise. Example services: PPWR gap analysis; current-state assessment; action plan.
Packaging data & documentation
Establish control over packaging data, supplier information and the documentation required for compliance. Example services: data mapping; technical documentation; Declaration of Conformity (DoC).
Materials, design & recyclability
Evaluate material selection, recyclability and future packaging design requirements. Example services: material analysis; design for recycling; recyclability assessment.
Producer responsibility & compliance
Get support with producer responsibility, reporting and future PPWR-related requirements. Example services: EPR advice; compliance support; labelling requirements; eco-modulation.
Why start working on the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) now?
PPWR at applicable from 12 August 2026, but not all requirements take effect at the same time. Several key provisions will be phased in over the coming years, with important milestones along the way. For many companies, the greatest challenge is not interpreting the regulation, but gaining control of the information behind their packaging. This may involve collecting supplier data, mapping material content, reviewing labelling, evaluating future design requirements and ensuring that the necessary documentation is in place.
Preparing well in advance allows you to identify risks, plan changes and establish the processes needed to meet both current and future requirements. Changes to packaging design, material selection, supply chains and product development often take several years to implement. PPWR is therefore not something to address later: work needs to start today.
Data
Materials
EPR and costs
2026 - PPWR starts to apply
Map your packaging, roles, data and the main gaps against the requirements.
2028 - Data, processes and information
Ensure that information flows, documentation, supplier data, harmonised labelling and internal processes are functioning effectively as more requirements begin to have practical implications.
2030 onwards - Design, recycling and materials
Requirements covering areas such as recyclability and recycled content become more significant and may require changes to your packaging portfolio.
Step by step towards PPWR compliance
Map your packaging portfolio
Identify which packaging is covered and which requirements are most relevant to your business.
Collect the necessary data
Ensure you have access to information on materials, weight, components and suppliers.
Identify gaps against the requirements
Assess your current situation with PPWR requirements and identify priority areas for improvement.
Prioritise actions
Develop an action plan based on risk, impact and feasibility.
Evaluate materials and design
Assess packaging recyclability, material selection and future compliance risks.
Ensure documentation is in place
Build the technical documentation and supporting evidence required for compliance.
Implement and monitor
Introduce new ways of working, ensure reporting is in place and monitor progress over time.
Questions and answers about the PPWR
PPWR stands for Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation and is the EU’s new regulation on packaging and packaging waste. It regulates, among other things, packaging design, materials, recyclability, reuse, recycled content, labelling and extended producer responsibility.
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) became applicable on 12 August 2026. However, different requirements apply from different dates.
The regulation affects, among others, producers, importers and distributors that place packaging or packaged products on the EU market. The applicable obligations depend on the company’s role and the packaging concerned.
Packaging will increasingly need to be designed with consideration for factors such as material use, resource efficiency and recyclability. Companies may therefore need to modify existing packaging solutions.
This depends on the packaging and the company’s role, but may include materials, weight, components, recycled content, recyclability and information needed for extended producer responsibility and reporting.
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) strengthens and harmonizes aspects of extended producer responsibility within the EU. For companies, this entails increased requirements regarding control over packaging, data, and reporting.
Eco-modulation means that producer responsibility fees can be differentiated based on, for example, the environmental characteristics of the packaging. This means that material selection and packaging design can take on greater economic significance.
A Declaration of Conformity is a document in which a company confirms that the relevant requirements have been met. Sufficient supporting evidence and technical documentation are needed to draw up an accurate DoC.
Technical documentation compiles the supporting evidence demonstrating how packaging meets the relevant requirements. This may include information on materials, design, recyclability and recycled content.
Not necessarily all of it, but it is important to identify early on which packaging may need to change. Materials, suppliers, testing and product development can involve long lead times.
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) sets labelling requirements covering, among other things, material composition, sorting instructions, reusable packaging, digital information and certain substances in packaging. The requirements vary depending on the packaging’s design and use, and the company’s responsibilities under the regulation.
You might also be interested in
![Digital product passport]()
Digital Product Passport (DPP)
![Egger furniture]()
Turning production waste into new panels with EGGER Italy
![Aluminium]()
Stena Recycling and Hydro collaborates to produce low carbon aluminium from post-consumer scrap
![cars recycled]()
End-of-Life Vehicle Regulation (ELVR)
![Corrugated cardboard for recycling]()
Everything you need to know about PPWR and the new packaging regulations
![Rare earth elements]()
Webinar: Rare earth elements
![Paper roll.]()
Webinar: Packaging for the future
